Being the sole creator on your own book, as well as the publisher, is a lot of work creatively. But add the marketing, advertising and general business to it, and your schedule almost becomes more than you can manage. It has been the one constant problem since I started this book. Where to find the time to do everything?

Conventions are among the many "everythings" I have been horrible with. I've been lucky to have a con buddy in Todd Goodman of Old World Comics. He has been extra helpful and generous by giving me a section of his table for the past two Huntington Tri-Cons. But past that, my narrow-mindedness to getting my book finished has put the selling of it in jeopardy because, although I planned a con tour, my follow through has been awful.

Didn't attend the Lexington Comic Con this year because it was knee deep in me finishing a part of my story. I was able to attend Tri-Con. However, I didn't have the forethought to find a place to be on "Free Comic Book Day." Wanted to go to Louisville's Derby Con, but it was the same weekend as a planned vacation my family had. During of which, I planned to go to HEROESCON. That I didn't make, because I had to replace my car's set of tires, which took the steam out of my "play money" for the con.

Only opportunity in July is S.P.A.C.E. (Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo) which Todd has invited me for a place at his table. But looking at the list of books there, my little masked book may not look so inviting to that "sophisticated" crowd. I don't know yet if I will go.

So that has left me pondering. Can I produce this book and attend conventions at the same time? Is that what is really holding me back on making these conventions a priority. Should I wait till it's all over? It's a holdover of me choosing to serialize my graphic novel. Every time I consider a convention, the first thing I think of is, I have nothing to sell, or an incomplete story. Then the other part is, who am I to sell a comic? With so much out there, I am such a small dustmite amongst so much talent.

Yeah, I know. I think too much. But such is the mind of the sole creator. You exist in your own vacuum for the production of your book. Then you venture out to see if anyone might like to see the finished work of your labor. Not really intimidated by opinion, someone will either like it or they won't. Not the reason I'm doing it. But the feeling like I'm only showing one or two things of a much bigger part, leaves me uncertain of my future conventions.

Much more to consider as the weeks go by...

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Author

A lifelong comics fan, Mike W. Belcher is the writer/artist of MAN IN THE MASK. A story he's had with him for over 20 years.